Bumper mechanism



May 14, 1935- P. N. CHERPES ET AL v 2,001,093

BUMPER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 1, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 y 1935. P. N.CHERPES ET AL 0 2,001,093

BUMPER MECHANI SM Filed Feb. 1, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ig &

I W l I [if I 5 T Z2 5 I 1 90 21 0 /f /7 8 I 2 4 7% K5 I 4 v a CM Z/f$5545 Patented May 14, 1935 so STAT-ES PATENT BUMPER MECHANISM i 'ter N.(lheijiies aha Christ E. imiii's, Glii'atgo, 111.

Application February 1, 1934, Serial No. 709286 solailiis. (01.180-83)The present iri ve'ritiori felti'te's to bumper mechanism ana mereparticularly to bumper meehsnismeor auwm we Vehicles. I

lfhe pifesent ihvention isconoeriied with mechavnism wheremaqbuniper ismovs iy mn-unted'o n an automotive vemeieior'automstismi sppiymg thevehicle brakes whenever the bumpereiicountei's an obstruction. v r p Theinvention further eontemplates the provision of sesamebiihiper'eoiistmcmon wherein two bui'ripe'rs are 'ifio'u'ntd in'hdifizontaliy 's'pticed. relation anti'ooth of jwl'iih aire 'niovalbiymounted. on a "vehicle, "so th usa e impact the outer buinpr is mavsdeigagiiist 'theinfier biimpe and *bjothaljre iiioved. "together,togthfey with ineans foifiielbsor bin g the sho c l z s ojf *ir ipect"in sul'ch manner thctt he shocksn ay be quickly sbsdrhed and thetb'iibsnts 'as wen-"s5 the Vehicle piotected againsteocidents r v @1 ebf thef ie nt i n n is t 9 vi-de an aiutoiiiotive veir icljef'lqumpewhiohis'inow able inwardly and outwsfa with re pect :to the ve1iic1e nawherein cushioning ineaiis are provitiptforabsorbingsliocksiof iinpects. I Another obje'et of the intention is to proifci'e a, doublebumper some im m "automotive vemeles, wnereintw 'iiariz intdiry spsbumpers are sequentiaHy-inw "movefiolejurider iiiipalot,

lmh pb O the iv n d 339 t aidoiuble bumper cons uction for, 'ali oinotiie yehicles wherein one bumper is mojveo, e certain bumper and then bothmoi/ed. tog'ether, together with shock z'ibsox'ldirl'g I'Iieanish'ichcome into play in sequential order, to "greidual ly build upresistancefio bufripei" Movement 'a'r' gi thereby bsent the shochsofirnp act and i'ejduoethe risk of injury A still furti'ierobje'ct of thisi'nvention is to i provide shovel, electiially operated. brake ipplyingmechanism;

Generally speaking, the invention c'ontempia'tes of the at the ffont ofan automotive vedistance under impodctinto contact with a's'eonci andfront wheels 2, The erig' eis impact shoeksis quicklybuilt up to a pointwhefe thevehicle is proteeted f'a geiin'st ui y. The invention furthercontemplates the pr'ovision of connections between one ofj the hoyv10able bumpers arid the bralke "aipjpl'yi so that as soon as the ump e rmp t "bra es. w l i epn and without initervention of the The above,other 'a'ndjfurth ei' o vention will be apparent froinjtheioIlowingscription, accompanying drawings, 'ttndeppenfled claims. g N

e e vmpeny s ral I f i t st an i nbodiment of the present invention andthe views" thereof areas foliowszgy p w,

Figure l isle top pIan l rep esentation of a chassis 'eq ip v bumperconstruction eiribod'ying principles of the presentinvention, f H I mFigure 2 is a, sideelevetioxiei view o1 theifieciielnism iliustrateqinifigur '1. I c

Figure 3 isfan enlgrged pentral horizontal seetion'al View withcertstinjpa'jrts 'in, me s the Q bumper; mountings and shock absofbirifgo'r cushioning meens.

Figures is an enlarged te m-c 1 setidnsl v ew taken substantially in theplane indicated. by the line IV-IV w v o s. ,t .7 it re, 5115 a-s rs m'lt j' 1 Yei li 'i of the illustrated fo' rn of'niecheinisfnegnplpye'd foroperatively connecting ie got] the r m veb'Ie bumpers to; the hifa'keejetuitingjneeheinisfngto" applying the brakes when the bumper is moved40 undenimpact.

Figure 6 ise fragmente l sectional view talken substantially in theplane in line VIVI in Fig"- ure 3. H I

The drawings will now be explained.

An automobile frame is represented gen;

at 'Afen d i's sti piiedjwith t e ujsiffll resr suitably mounted in asupport a at weir-mitts 1y spaced relationship, and both are movablymounted so as to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the vehicleon which applied.

A plate or pan IE] is illustrated as suitably secured to the side framemembers of the vehicle by means of brackets The pan it extendsunderneath the engine 3 and along one side carries two longitudinallyextending spring housings 2 and H3 and along the opposite sides thereoftwo similar spring housings l4 and l5. These housings are formed asintegral parts of the pan or plate ID or may be formed as separate unitsand suitably secured to the pan. The outer ends of the housings areprovided with walls designated generally at it with openings therein fora purpose to be later explained. The inner ends of the housings areclosed by cap members II, which members l! have openings it for apurpose to be later explained.

The housings l2 and I3 are arranged to provide between them a space l9while the housings 4 and I5 provide a similar space 28.

The outer bumper B is suported, in the present instance, by two rods 2|and 22, which are similar and which extend through the spaces I9 andbetween the housings i2 and l3 and i4 and I5, respectively. The frontends of the rods 2| and 22 are secured to the outer bumper B by means oflugs 23 formed on the bumper, and pivot pins :24. The rods 2| and 22extend beyond the inner ends of the housings a considerable distance,and at their inner ends are provided with cam members 25 having camsurfaces 25 which are inclined downwardly from the inner extremities ofthe rods. The cam surfaces 25 merge into faces 2'! which are parallel tothe direction of movement of the rods 2| and 22, as will be laterexplained.

The rods 2| and 22 are also supported on the inner bumper B by means ofenlargements 28 which receive the rods and serve as outer bearingmembers for the rods. The rods 2| and 22 are guided in the end walls l6of the housings and also in the end walls of the inner caps ll of thehousings and also at the extreme inner ends. The

guide means for the extreme inner ends of the rods 2| and 22, may beobserved in Figure 5, wherein a plurality of rollers 29 are supported ona cross shaft 33 suitably secured at 3| to the side frame of thevehicle.

The inner bumper C is supported and guided by pairs of rods 32, 33 and34, 35, which may be readily observed in Fig. 3.

The rod 32 is suitably secured to the bumper C as by being welded orotherwise fastened to a plate 36 which is riveted or bolted to thebumper bar. The rod 32 enters the opening in the outer end Wall 5 of thehousing I2, while the rod 33 enters the housing i3. In like manner, therod 34 enters the housing |4 while the rod 35 enters the housing l5.

It will thus be observed that every one of the rods, supporting theinner bumper C, enters one of the housings and moves therein undercertain conditions.

springs 44, arranged one spring to a housing, that is to say, one spring44 surrounds the rod 32 within the housing |2, a similar spring 44surrounds the rod 33 within the housing l3, a similar spring 44surrounds the rod 34 within the housing l4, and a similar spring 44surrounds the rod 35 within the housing l5, all of said springs beingretained between the fixed and movable heads.

Within the several housings and disposed near the inner ends thereof,are pistons 45, 45, 41, and 48 to all of which are attached piston rods,49, 5|], 5| and 52, respectively, which extend through the openings I8in the end walls of the closure members l! of the housings. Preferably,although not necessarily, these piston rods are of flat metal and areprovided with racks 53 arranged with the racks'on one pair facing eachother, that is to say, the racks on the piston rods 49 and 5E! face eachother while the racks on the piston rods 5| and 52 face each other.

The rod 2| of the outer bumper B is, partway of its length, providedwith teeth forming racks on each side thereof, as at 54. In like manner,the rod 22 is provided with teeth forming the rack 55 on opposite sidesthereof in the same arrangement.

The pan or plate l0 carries pinions for intermeshing with the racks onthe piston rods and the adjacent bars of the front bumper.

A pinion 58 meshes with the rack on the piston rod 49 and one of theracks on the rod 2|, while a similar pinion 5'1 meshes with the rack onthe other side of the rod 2| and the rack 53 on the piston rod 50. Apinion 58 meshes with the rack 53 on the piston rod 5| and the adjacentrack 55 of the outer bumper rod 22. A similar pinion 59 meshes with therack 53 on the piston rod 52 and the adjacent rack 55 in the rod 22.

It will thus be observed that whenever the outer bumper B is moved acorresponding movement is imparted to the piston rods.

Within the housings and between the pistons 45, 46, 41 and 48 and theheads 40, 4|, 42 and 43, respectively, are springs 50 all of which aresimilar and arranged with one to a housing.

It will thus be observed that the springs 58 and 44 within the housingsare arranged in tandem, and that the springs 60 are compressed by theinward movement of the outer bumper B, while the springs 44 arecompressed by the inward movement of the inner bumper C.

The tendency of the springs 44 and 50 to expand maintains the bumpers Band C in outward or normal position.

Adjacent the inner extremities of the bars 2| and 22, and supported onthe shaft 3%] are cranks 6|. In the arrangement of crank shown in Figure5, the lower ends of the cranks are provided with rollers which travelin arcuate slots 61 of support members 68 fastened to the framestructure of the vehicle. The other ends of the cranks 6| are connectedby pivot pins 69 to links 15, the other ends of which are connected bypins H to cranks I2 suitably secured to the brake shaft 13. The rollers66 are disposed to contact the cam surfaces 26 of the cams 25 and thefiat surfaces 21, as the rods 2| and 22 are urged inwardly by impactagainst the outer bumper B.

It will be observed from Figure 5, that as the rods 2| and 22 are movedinwardly under inward movement of the outer bumper B, the cam surfaces26 rock the cranks 6| in clockwise direction thereby actuating the brakeshaft 13 in a direction to apply the brakes. The inclination of the camsurfaces 26 is abrupt so that the brakes will be fully applied beforethe outer bumper --B ismoved inwardly into contact with fthe innerbumper C. In practice, the outer bumper B is disposed approximately 8beygnd the inner bumper C and the cam surfaces 2|; are so designed thatthe V ward ly and the-brakes will beapplied automaticallywithoutintervention of the operator of the.

Adjacent the sinner extremity of the pan or plate B, and formedintegrally with the plate, are depending lugs 14 which are laterallyspaced and which "support a motor shaft 15'. A motor 16 is suitablysecured to the plateflii, by means of straps Tl. V The ends of the shaft15 are provided with pinions 18and 19 which mesh respectively with racksformed in the under sides of the bars 22 and 2|, as illustrated inFigure 5, where pinion T9 meshes with rack 80 formed in the underside ofthe bar 2|. The pinions l8 and T9 are mounted on the shaft 15 by meansof overrunning clutches so that the rods 2| and 22 may move in onedirection without rotating the motor shaft' 'l5. I 1

"The purpose of the motor 16 and its connected parts is to apply thebrakes by actuation of the rods 2! and '22 through the operation of themotor, The motor may be controlled by a remotely disposed switch, suchas that shown at 81 in Figs. 1 and :2, where the switch 8| is disposedonthe steering wheel and a cable 82 connects the switch with the motor 16.Actuation of the motor causes rotation of the pinions 18 and 19 in adirection tomove the rods 2| and "22 to the left as viewed in Figs. 1,2, 3 and 5 of the drawings and thus apply the brakes by engagement ofthe cam surfaces 26 with the rollers on the cranks 6|. This is an'easyway of applying j the emergency brake in the event the operator of thevehicle does not desire to actuate the usual handbrake lever providedfor such purpose.

As anadded feature, cylinders :83 may be attached to the dashboard B4and arranged to extend forwardly of thedas'h. These cylinders containcoiled springs, and a rod 85 enters each of the cylinderswhere it isprovided with ahead for compressing the springs under certainconditions. I

nected to the rearor inner bumper C toprevent the bumper from cantingunder impact. Preferably the cylinders 83 are arranged underneath thehood in which event apertures therein would be provided through whichthe rods 85 might extend, as the brackets 86 are disposed ahead of theradiator D of the vehicle.

The operation of the illustrated form of mechanism is as follows:

The parts appear as in normal position.

Suppose an .automotive vehicle, to which the bumper mechanism of thepresent invention is attached, strikes an obstruction such as a post,rail or'other abutment, and the operator of the vehicle is too busy orotherwise occupied to immediately apply the brakes, the outer bumper Bwould then be driven inwardly under force of impact. Such movement, byreason of the provision of the racks on the rods 2| and 22,,and

The outer extremities of the rods 85 are connected to upstandingbrackets 86 conthe pinion s, causes inward movement of the piston rods49, 59-, 5! and 52 thus. compressing the inwardly, the springs 60 and Mwill work in -op posite directions and thus compound the checking effectof the springsand quickly absorb the shock of impact, bring the vehicleto rest.

-As soon as theouter bumper Bstarts its in-: ward movement, the camsurfaces 26 engage the cranks 6! to rock the same and thereby rock thebrake shaft 13 in a direction to apply the brakes. This action of thebumper in applying the brakes is animportant one as it automaticallyapplies the brakes whenever there is sufficient force applied to theeuterbumper to move it a distance of approximately 2" to 4".

Whilethe mechanism here provided serves as automatic means to apply thebrakes in case of collision, it also serves as absorbing meansto absorbthe shock of impact, and thus reduce the accident hazard to a minimum.The quick application of the brakes will prevent the occupants ofthevehicle from being thrown forward suddenly against the windshield orother partof the vehicle and thus minimize likelihood of injury to suchoccupants. is brought to rest and is reversed in direction, thespringsfifl .and '44 will then become effective to move the bumpersoutwardly to normal position ready for another collision.

The brake mechanism may be actuated by manipulation of the switch button8 l which when As soon as the vehicle closed energizes the motor 16 tocause rotation of its shaft 15 and with it cause inward movement or thebars or rods 2! and 22 to rock the cranks 6| in a'direction'to apply thebrakes.

Itwilil be observed that after the outer bumper.

B has been moved a distance of approximately 2f to 4", the rollers 66 onthe crank 6! will have left the inclined cam surfaces 26 and will restagainst the horizontal surfaces 21 to allow furi therein, and the rods85 connected to the brack- I ets 86 of the bumper-C, distributes theimpact shocks to thevehicle body, at different vertical points and thustends to prevent tilting of the vehicle about the point of impact sothat the vehicle occupants are not thrown forward against thewindshield.

The'dimensions set forth herein are for example only, and do notconstitute limitations as obviously the dimensions of the present bumperconstruction, as applied to a small automobile would be difierent'from abumper construction applied to a large truck.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as todetails, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedthereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion ofparts, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In an automotive vehicle, in combination, a pair of longitudinallyextending housings adjacent one side of the vehicle, a similar pair oflongitudinally extending housings adjacent the other side of thevehicle, two springs in tandem in every housing, two bumpers at thefront end of the vehicle in horizontally spaced relation and bothcapable of inward and outward movement with respect to the vehicle, rodssupporting and guiding the outer of said bumpers, one of said rodsextending along and between the pair of housings adjacent one side ofsaid vehicle, and another of said rods extending along and between thepair of housings adjacent the other side of said vehicle, said rodsprojecting beyond the inner ends of said housings, two rods supportingand guiding the inner bumper adjacent one end thereof and entering theadjacent housings, two other rods supporting and guiding the other endof said inner bumper and entering the adjacent housings, said fourlatter rods having spaced heads thereon within the respective housings,the heads adjacent the outer ends of said housings being fixed to saidrods and the heads adjacent the inner ends of said rods being movablealong said rods, the forward springs in every housing being disposedabout the rod therein and between the heads on said rod, pistons withinsaid housings adjacent the inner ends thereof, the rearward spring inevery housing being between the piston and movable head in the housing,piston rods connected to said pistons and projecting through the innerends of said housings, interconnecting means between the rods of theouter bumper and said piston rods for effecting movement of said pistonrods in directions opposite to that of the movement of the outer bumperrods for com pressing the rearward springs within said housing tocushion the inward movement of said outer bumper under impact, continuedmovement of said outer bumper under impact causing inward movement ofsaid inner bumper and compression of the forward springs of saidhousings to compound the cushioning effect of said springs.

2. In an automotive vehicle, a bumper mechanism, said mechanismconsisting of two bumpers incuntedone ahead of the other inspacedrelation and both adapted for inward and outward movement withrespect to the vehicle, guide rods extending rearwardly from the outerof said bumpers, other guide rods extending rearwardy from the inner ofsaid bumpers, said rods being disposed in parallel relation,springhousings,tandem springsin said housings,connections between said rodsand said springs, one spring in a housing being effective to opposeinward movement or" one bumper and another spring in a housing beingeffective to oppose inward movement of the other bumper, and bothsprings cooperating to provide cushion means for said inner bumper asthe same is moved inwardly by said outer bumper after said outer bumperhas been moved against said inner bumper.

3. In an automotive vehicle, in combination, a bumper, rods for mountingsaid bumper on said vehicle in such manner that the bumper may moveinwardly toward the vehicle, said rods extending in a direction of thelength of the vehicle, a housing alongside each rod, springs within saidhousings, a piston within each housing and having a piston rodprojecting outwardly of the housing, said piston rods and said bumperrods being provided with racks, a pinion meshing with one bumper rod andone piston rod, a second pinion meshing with the other bumper rod andthe other piston rod in such manner that inward movement of the bumperunder collision impact compresses the springs in said housings tocushion the impact, said springs within said housings being eifective tonormally maintain said piston rods fully extended and said bumper innormal outward position, and means operable as said bumper rods aremoved inwardly under impact for applying the vehicle brakes, saidsprings releasing the brakes and returning the bumper to normal outwardposition when the vehicle is moved away from the impacted object.

4. In an automotive vehicle, in combination, a

rocker brake shaft, an auxiliary rocker shaft parallel to said brakeshaft, linkage connecting said shafts for simultaneous rocking movement,a crank secured to said auxiliary shaft, a roller carried by said crank,a guide member having an arcuate slot for said roller, a cam disposedfor engagement with said roller and adapted to move said crank in adirection to rock said brake shaft to apply the brakes when said cam ismoved in one direction, and means carried by the vehicle and operableunder collision impact for moving said cam in the manner stated.

5. In an automotive vehicle, in combination, a rocker brake shaft, anauxiliary rocker shaft parallel to said brake shaft, linkage connectingsaid shafts for simultaneous rocking movement, a'crank secured to saidauxiliary shaft, a roller carried by said crank, a guide member havingan arcuate slot for said roller, a cam disposed for engagement with saidroller and adapted to move said crank in a'direction to rock said brakeshaft to apply the brakes when said cam is moved in one direction, amotor operatively connected to said cam for moving it in the mannerstated, and means for controlling said motor.

PETER N. CHERPES. CHRIST E. KOLLIAS.

